Posted Mar 21, 2024 | 3:09 PM
Donald Angus MacLeod passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, March 2nd, 2024. His best friend and soulmate Lisa, and their three children, were at his side.
Born in 1958 in Simcoe and raised in Southampton, Don, known by the nicknames Angus and Blacky, was in his 66th year. He is survived by his wife of more than 44 years, Lisa, their three children Maria Nesbitt (Jim), Michael (Christie) and Mathew (Britney), five adoring grandchildren, Landyn, George, Myles, Olivia and Wells, and the two grandpups he loved to spoil, Molly and Maxi. Don was predeceased by his parents, Doris Eileen Morrow (2011), of Allenford, and Arthur Lewis MacLeod (1980) of Southampton, and in-laws Doris and Harry Kazarian (2023 and 1989). He will be fondly remembered by five sisters and a twin brother: Nancy Norwood (Jim), Heather Hogan (Ron), Margaret Van Gaver (Terry), Jane Van Dam (Harry), Julie Clazie Young (Bob) and John MacLeod (Nancy), as well as sisters-in-law Maria Jones (Brian), Dawna Kazarian-Keith (Wayne) and brothers-in-law Mark Kazarian (Lynne), Peter Kazarian (Wanda), Paul Kazarian (Deb) and Mike Kazarian (Carolyn). Don will be missed by more than two dozen nieces and nephews, and especially so by Amanda, Adam, Justine and Aaron.
Don made lifelong friends and teammates through his love of sports, which began during childhood and peaked with inductions into the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame (2005) and the Owen Sound Sports Hall of Fame (2016). Don played fastball, pool, and hockey, though he truly excelled on the ice. As a teen, he had memorable stints with the Owen Sound Jr. B Greys and the Guelph Holody Platers, helping them win the 1978 Centennial Cup, the National Jr. A Championship. His Sr. A career spanned nearly two decades and saw Don lace up for the Lakeshore Winterhawks, Durham Huskies and Woodford Royals. When Don made the transition to coaching, he led several minor hockey and lacrosse teams to provincial championships. He also took turns behind the bench for the Saugeen Shores Winterhawks and the Shallow Lake Crushers. Don was a devoted supporter and executive member of the Owen Sound Sr. B Northstars, and a longtime member of the Crescent Athletic Club.
From the time Don met Lisa, the two were inseparable. Family lore has it that they met as teenagers when Don showed up with Mark at “the big house”, the Kazarian family home on Owen Sound’s 15th St. E hill. Don never left; he and Lisa married in July 1980 and raised their family just down the street.
Lisa shared Don’s love of sports; the pair logged thousands of kilometers in the big red van, traveling to cheer on their kids and tailgate with other parents. Don loved to watch his daughter Maria play field lacrosse and he was an enduring presence behind the glass at the Harry Lumley Bayshore arena, where Mat and Mike played hockey and lacrosse.
Don retired after a 38-year career at Bruce Power. In his spare time, Don helped care for his mother-in-law, Doris, and pitched in for friends and family. When first grandson Landyn came along, Don was promoted from Dad to Papa, a role he adored. Papa’s lap always had room for a grandchild or two (or three or more in recent years, when it got crowded).
Sincere thanks go to everyone who supported Don, Lisa and their family through these last and most difficult months: Dr. Brooke Edwards and the Owen Sound Family Health Team, staff at Brightshores Health System, London Health Sciences Centre, Chapman House, Home and Community Support Services of Grey-Bruce.
A celebration of life for Don will be held at the Harry Lumley Bayshore, in the Bay Room, 1900 3rd Ave. East, Owen Sound, on Saturday March 30th, from 12-2pm. Arrangements are entrusted to Brian E. Wood Funeral Home, Owen Sound, 519-376-7492.
As expressions of sympathy, donations made in Don’s name to Chapman House, Brightshores Health System or to Community Foundation Grey Bruce – Owen Sound Lacrosse Endowed Fund would be gratefully appreciated. Condolences can be sent to Don’s family by visiting his memorial at www.woodfuneralhome.ca.